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A plant-based diet is feasible in patients with Crohn's disease.

Clinical nutrition ESPEN
December 1, 2024
Line Birch Arvidsson et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

To investigate the feasibility of a plant-based diet intervention for Crohn's disease patients and assess its impact on disease activity and quality of life.

Results Summary

The study found a clinically positive trend in symptom improvement (HBI and IBDQ scores) but no statistically significant effects. Adverse effects included decreased protein intake and slight muscle mass reduction.

Population

Outpatients with Crohn's disease on biological therapy.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

12 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
plant-based diet intervention
neutral
patients with Crohn's disease
patients with Crohn's disease
-
may have a beneficial impact
#1
plant-based diet intervention
decrease
disease activity
patients with Crohn's disease
-
may reduce
#2
plant-based diet intervention
increase
quality of life
patients with Crohn's disease
-
enhance
#3
plant-based diet intervention
increase
symptom scores for disease (HBI)
outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy
p=0.028
clinically positive tendency was seen towards improved
#4
plant-based diet intervention
increase
symptom scores for disease (IBDQ)
outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy
p=0.006
clinically positive tendency was seen towards improved
#5
plant-based diet intervention
no change
fatigue (IBD-F)
outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy
p=0.097
not for
#6
plant-based diet intervention
decrease
protein intake
outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy
p=0.069
decreased
#7
plant-based diet intervention
decrease
muscle mass
outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy
-
slightly reduced
#8
plant-based diet intervention
increase
perception of disease activity
outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy
-
improved
#9
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Incorporating plant-based diets as a supplement to medical treatment may have a beneficial impact on patients with Crohn's disease, however, research with intervention studies is required. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of a plant-based diet intervention. Secondly, the purpose was to investigate whether such diet may reduce disease activity and enhance quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a single arm feasibility study. Outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy were guided over twelve weeks towards a dietary lifestyle change. OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility concerning recruitment, retention rate and compliance. Secondary outcomes were measures of patient reported outcome questionnaires (PROMS). Paired t-tests were used to examine changes in CO2 emissions, anthropology, biomarkers, and patient-reported data. Δ-values were used to investigate difference between dietary intake and requirements. Linear regression analyses examined the association between biomarkers and PROMS. RESULTS: In total, 15 participants completed the intervention with easy recruitment and a retention rate at 87.6%. A clinically positive tendency was seen towards improved symptom scores for disease (HBI; p=0.028 and IBDQ; p=0.006) but not for fatigue (IBD-F; p = 0.097), although none of these were statistically significant. Adverse effects were decreased protein intake (p=0.069) and slightly reduced muscle mass. It remains unclear to what extent the intervention contributed to the improved self-reported effects although perception of disease activity was improved. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that it is possible to retain patients following a plant-based diet. However, the dietary change required ongoing dietetic support with a focus on anti-inflammatory agents and the still unattainable protein requirements.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansCrohn DiseaseFemaleMaleAdultFeasibility StudiesQuality of LifeDiet, VegetarianMiddle AgedBiomarkersSurveys and QuestionnairesPatient CompliancePatient Reported Outcome MeasuresYoung AdultDiet, Plant-Based
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy65/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.40
Normalized Score0.70
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